Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly hereby declares that: (a) A system to evaluate the effectiveness of licensed personnel is crucial to improving the quality of education in this state and declares that such a system shall be applicable to all licensed personnel in the school districts and boards of cooperative services throughout the state; and (b) The purposes of the evaluation shall be to: (I) Serve as a basis for the improvement of instruction; (II) Enhance the implementation of programs of curriculum; (III) Serve as a measurement of the professional growth and development of licensed personnel; (IV) Evaluate the level of performance based on the effectiveness of licensed personnel; and (V) Provide a basis for making decisions in the areas of hiring, compensation, promotion, assignment, professional development, earning and retaining nonprobationary status, dismissal, and nonrenewal of contract. (2) The general assembly further declares that a professionally sound and credible system to evaluate the effectiveness of licensed personnel shall be designed with the involvement of licensed personnel and citizens of the school district or board of cooperative services. (3) The general assembly further declares that the involvement and support of parents of children in public schools, acting as partners with teachers and public school administrators, are key to the educational progress of their children.